Wales rugby star Andy Powell charged over buggy arrest

Welsh rugby star Andy Powell has been charged with drink driving after he allegedly took and drove away a golf buggy, hours after Wales beat Scotland.

The flanker was arrested with another man at 0600 GMT on Sunday at services off junction 33 of the M4 near the team hotel in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Mr Powell's agent told the BBC the player was "very sorry and embarrassed about what happened".

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) said it was monitoring the situation.

A police spokesman confirmed two men were arrested and that investigations are ongoing.

Powell played in the 31-24 victory in the Six Nations championship.

It is understood the golf buggy was taken from the Vale Hotel, Golf and Spa Resort in the Vale of Glamorgan where the Wales team stayed before and after the Scotland game at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

Mr Powell's agent, Mike Burton, told BBC Radio 5 Live: "Andy was disappointed and embarrassed to find himself in this position.

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"He does not excuse or condone drink driving in any form and it was a misjudgement. He is sorry and he will face up to it."

A spokesman for the hotel said they could not comment as a police investigation was ongoing.

The WRU said in a statement: "The national squad views matters of player conduct extremely seriously.

"Members of the national squad management will formally speak to the player before any further statement is issued."

It said the WRU had advised the player on the "opportunities he can consider for legal representation at this stage".

Brecon-born rugby flanker Powell, 28, has won 14 caps for Wales and toured with the British and Irish Lions squad to South Africa.

The forward plays regional rugby for Cardiff Blues, after joining from the Llanelli Scarlets in 2005. He has also played for Beziers, Leicester and Newport.

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